Philosophy 153

The course will provide an understanding of the three main traditions of thought in China through a careful study of selected texts. We will begin with a study of early Chinese thought, with focus on Confucianism (Confucius, Mencius, Xunzi) and Daoism (Zhuangzi), and then move on to a study of Chan (or Zen) Buddism (The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch). While we will attend closely to the primary texts (in English translation), including a discussion of the connotations of key terms and analyses of important passages, the emphasis is on ideas in the texts. The overall goal is to provide an understanding of key ideas in these traditions of thought in their proper historical and cultural contexts. Given the time limitation, we will not relate these ideas to contemporary philosophical discussions, but will do so as part of another course Philosophy 107: Moral Psychology.